ST. LOUIS, May 6, 2014
- On the eve of hosting the most prestigious chess tournaments in the
nation, St. Louis received national recognition from the United States
Senate, which passed an official resolution late Monday night naming St. Louis the National Chess Capital.

The
resolution, which was introduced by Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
and Roy Blunt (R-MO), also seeks to raise awareness of the educational
benefits of chess and to encourage schools and community centers to
engage in chess programs that promote important developmental skills
like problem-solving, critical thinking, spatial awareness and more.

"The
Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis hosts all major U.S.
chess competitions and has been a driver in educating children
throughout the State since its inception," Senator McCaskill said. "The
intellect and creativity needed to learn and compete in chess also
helps students think creatively and strategically in traditional
academic areas, including math and science. We are proud St. Louis is
leading the way in competitive American chess while providing students
the problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed in an
ever-advancing world."

"I'm
pleased the Senate approved our resolution to designate St. Louis as
the National Chess Capital," Senator Blunt said. "Chess programs like
those offered by the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
challenge young people academically and help motivate them to succeed."

The
news comes just days after the announcement that a Congressional Chess
Caucus has been formed to promote the educational benefits of chess and
just days before the top chess players in the country will compete in
St. Louis for the title of U.S. Champion and U.S. Women's Champion.

The 2014 U.S. Championship and 2014 U.S. Women's Championship will begin May 7 and continue through May 20 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL).

This
marks the sixth consecutive year that each of these prestigious events
will be held in St. Louis. The opening ceremony takes place At the World
Chess Hall of Fame on May 7 at 6 p.m., and the first round for both events will kick off at 1 p.m. on May 8.

The
2014 U.S. Championship will feature a 12-player round robin and a
guaranteed total prize fund of $172,000. The winner will take home
$45,000.

In
addition, the CCSCSL is sponsoring a "$64,000 Fischer Prize," to be
awarded to anyone who wins all 11 of their games outright without a
single draw or defeat. The prize is named in honor of the 50th
anniversary of Bobby Fischer's accomplishment of that feat -- the only
time anyone has ever done it -- at the 1963-64 U.S. Championship.

Last
year, Grandmaster Gata Kamsky of New York City won his fourth U.S.
Championship title. Kamsky, 39, seeks to defend his title this year
against 11 strong competitors.

The
2014 U.S. Women's Championship will feature 10 players and a guaranteed
prize fund of $72,000. Grandmaster Irina Krush, 30, of New York City
looks to defend her U.S. Women's Championship crown.

Tony
Rich, executive director of the CCSCSL, said these tournaments provide a
learning opportunity for spectators and create role models for students
of the game.

"Chess
offers developing students a wide array of benefits including critical
thinking, planning and sportsmanship, just to name a few," Rich said.
"Hosting these events allows us to showcase the top players in the
country and also tell the world about the fantastic educational benefits
chess can offer."

Annual
members of the Chess Club can attend the event for free, and annual
membership to the CCSCSL costs just $50 for students or $100 for adults.
Tickets for individual rounds of the event are available for $10 per
day.

In addition, the CCSCSL is hosting a free student weekend May 17 and May 18, which will waive the $10 ticket price for all K-12 students.